Politics
Sandu has responded to Putin’s decree on Transnistria
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that Vladimir Putin’s decision to make it easier for residents of Transnistria to obtain Russian citizenship may be linked to Russia’s attempts to recruit more people for the war against Ukraine
Explosions and fires broke out in Zelenograd following a drone attack
On the night of 16 May, the Moscow Region of the Russian Federation came under a large-scale drone attack. Reports are coming in from various areas of fires, damage to residential buildings and casualties
The EU could allocate over €9 billion to Ukraine as early as June
The European Union could agree the terms of a large-scale €90 billion loan programme for Ukraine in the coming days. Following this, Kyiv will be able to receive the first tranche of aid, amounting to over €9 billion
Following Trump’s comments, Canada is stepping up security in the Arctic
Canada, Denmark and other Northern European countries are stepping up their security cooperation in the Arctic following US President Donald Trump’s comments about the possible annexation of Greenland.
Zelenskyy and Macron discussed air defence and support for Ukraine
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has reported on a telephone conversation with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, cooperation on European affairs and the coordination of international efforts
Budanov spoke about mobilisation in Ukraine
Kirill Budanov, Head of the President’s Office, has stated that Ukraine must continue its mobilisation efforts, as the recruitment of volunteers is not meeting the army’s needs
The US and Israel are drawing up options for action regarding Iran
Washington and Tel Aviv are considering options for further action against Iran in the event that the talks break down. The scenarios include new strikes on military targets and an operation against nuclear infrastructure in Isfahan
Sibiga commented on the establishment of a special tribunal for the Russian Federation
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has stated that the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine should be a step towards restoring international justice. According to him, this will make it possible to hold the Russian leadership to account
Putin has simplified the process of obtaining Russian citizenship in Transnistria
The Russian President has signed a decree simplifying the procedure for granting Russian citizenship to residents of the unrecognised region of Transnistria
Russia has announced that traffic across the Crimean Bridge will be suspended
On the night of 16 May, vehicle traffic across the Crimean Bridge was temporarily suspended. The Russian side urged people on the bridge and in the inspection area to remain calm and follow the instructions of the security services
Israel has announced the elimination of one of Hamas's leaders
The Israeli authorities have announced the killing of Izz ad-Din al-Haddad, a senior commander in Hamas’s military wing, during an airstrike on the Gaza Strip
Zelenskyy has warned of possible attacks from Belarusian territory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Russia is attempting to drag Belarus into the war and may be preparing new aggressive actions from its territory
